Credit: Nancy Lane

HOUSTON - With the Patriots looking to erase a seven-point deficit with just 1:54 left yesterday against the Texans, it was backup quarterback Brian Hoyer taking snaps from center Dan Koppen. Hoyer also had led the team on a field goal drive late in the first half.

Hoyer couldn’t pull off a win as the Pats fell, 34-27. He finished 8-of-12 for 71 yards with a passer rating of 82.3.

“I think (the goal was to) be ready for the opportunity that was going to be given, and I wasn’t sure when it was going to be,” said Hoyer, a rookie free agent out of Michigan State. “That’s my job - week in, week out - just to be ready to go at anytime.”

Hoyer downplayed his performance, upon instructions from veterans in the locker room who advised him to give one-word answers. He said he wasn’t surprised to be out there on the final drive, adding, “It’s just quality reps against a good team.”

At one point, it appeared Hoyer may have been poised to pull out a win. He then had a 21-yard pass called back for a holding penalty that would have put the ball on the Texans 15 with 34 seconds left. His last two passes were just off target, intended for rookie Julian Edelman.

“It’s disappointing because anytime you go out there, you want to compete and win,” Hoyer said. “My last opportunity was an opportunity to tie the game for our team, so I wanted to go out there and perform well.”

Short memories

Even with the loss, the Patriots are still AFC East champions and in the playoffs. And every time they discussed yesterday’s defeat, they mentioned next week.

“None of this really matters anymore,” linebacker Adalius Thomas said. “All this is gone, it’s over with, and we’ve moved on already. That’s how simple that is. Your record doesn’t mean anything anymore. We’re going to the playoffs, and that’s all you can really ask for.”

It was Springs who blanketed Johnson on a fourth-and-1 incompletion in the second quarter, and Springs who later had him on another misfire in the end zone.

Johnson finished with six catches for 65 yards, his worst performance since Nov. 1.

“I wanted to come in and match his intensity and try to be physical with him because he is so physical,” said Springs, who had three tackles. “Play hard because he plays hard.”

Take a seat

The Patriots announced before the game that defensive end Ty Warren, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, running backs Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk and cornerback Leigh Bodden were inactive.

Not everyone was pleased.

Bodden said it was difficult to watch the game but cautioned not to read much into the result.

“Can’t really measure anything,” Bodden said. “Every week is different. Everybody that was out there, they played to the best of their ability. You don’t go undefeated like in 2007 every year. You’re going to lose. But you got to put it behind you and move on.”

Only Koppen was stationary. Rookie Sebastian Vollmer started at right tackle in his return to the city where he attended college. He later left in place of Nick Kaczur before returning. Guard Dan Connolly also rotated at guard.

Miscue run back

Veteran running back Fred Taylor had 33 rushing yards on seven carries with two touchdowns.

He said it was good to get back out there in his second game back from a serious ankle injury. Yet, Taylor focused more attention on his fumble in his own end zone, leading to a Texans touchdown.

“A little careless with the ball,” Taylor said. “I got to be a little better with it.”